Mark Coote's Blog

At St George's Organic Cafe
Friday, March 12, 2010

I received one of the warmst welcomes earlier today from clients at George's Organ... Read full story
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Supporting Sue Ryder in Leckhampton
Friday, March 12, 2010

Returning to the Sue Ryder Care Home in Leckhampton, it is obvious at once of th... Read full story
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Cedars Amethyst Trust Launch - Caring for Cancer Patients
Monday, March 08, 2010

It was an enormous privilege to be able to spe... Read full story
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A Clear Choice
Thursday, March 04, 2010

The Conservatives have set out the choice that voters will have to make at this election; 5 more years of Gordon Brown or Change with the Conservatives.

We can’t go on like this: Vote for Change.

Act now on debt to... Read full story
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In Salon
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

This morning I started the day at Stuart Holm... Read full story
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Giving Youngsters a Sporting Chance
Thursday, February 11, 2010

Recent statistics that show that we have almost one million young people in Britain not in employment, education or training (NEETs) is a worrying trend, and Cheltenham, in spite of its reputation for affluence, has not escaped the economic downturn.... Read full story
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I’m hoping to Katchit for Charity
Wednesday, February 03, 2010

This week I visited the flagship Ladbrokes shop in Winchcombe Street to learn more about the betting and gaming industry, the issues affecting the sector and its employees – who number thousands - and to take part in a charity bet. With Cheltenham Ra... Read full story
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Bringing People to Town...
Wednesday, February 03, 2010

I have been delighted to welcome to Cheltenham in the last week or so two splendid stalwart supporters who have come to support my campaign and the call for change in 2010.

Stanley Johnson, writer, broadcaster, environmentalist and one-... Read full story
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The Case for Giving Aid
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

I was very pleased to be able to welcome to Cheltenham shadow Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell MP, who joined me at St Matthew’s Church on Thursday evening to talk about his vision for One World Conservatism and his t... Read full story
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Supporting Familes is key to Stronger Communities
Friday, January 22, 2010

I joined former Party Leader Iain Duncan Smith on Wednesday for the launch of the Centre for Social Justice’s (CSJ) Green Paper on the Family, where he condemned the Labour Government for inflicting grave damage on the family.

This is a... Read full story
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2010 and all that - The New Year heralds the pre-election battle
Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Since we’re in the death throes of this Parliament, and everyone knows there has to be a General Election by early June (most likely May 6th), it was inevitable that the pre-election guns would be fired as soon as New Year festivities were out... Read full story
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Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year
Wednesday, December 23, 2009

2009 has been a difficult year for many people; the credit crunch, recession and jobs crisis. Next year things must change. Cheltenham is one of those seats that David Cameron needs to win if he is to form and lead a Government. If we do not win Chel... Read full story
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Follow The Pied Piper
Friday, December 18, 2009

Friday 18th December 2009

You may have heard of the local charity, the Pied Piper Appeal, raising funds for sick children across Gloucestershire, “because children can’t wait to get better.”

Managing Director of the Soho Cof... Read full story
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Showing Off Our Town's Assets
Friday, December 18, 2009

Wednesday 16th December 2010

In spite of the train service from Paddington – an hour late and the service terminated altogether at Gloucester (!) – it was very good to be able to welcome the shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media &... Read full story
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Campaigning Weekend Prepares Us
Monday, December 14, 2009

Monday 14th December 2009

This has been an extraordinarily hectic weekend. As the national Press ponder and anticipate a possible General Election for Thursday 25th March, in Cheltenham my campaign team have been moving up a further gear... Read full story
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Great Year for Cheltenham Connect
Monday, December 14, 2009

Sunday 13th December 2009

Cheltenham’s Connect’s Christmas Party in the grand marquee at the Exmouth Arms on Saturday evening was an occasion to look back on an extraordinary year for this locally-based community venture. It has created ... Read full story
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Land for housing 'Not for Sale'
Friday, December 04, 2009

Early this morning I joined Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson, County Councillor Mark Hawthorne and residents supporting the ‘Save the Countryside’ group in Uckington where the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) is threatening the development of green fi... Read full story
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Christmas comes to Montpellier
Friday, December 04, 2009

Congratulations to Montpellier traders for putting on their annual late-night Christmas Shopping event, this year in aid of Help for Heroes.

Read full story
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Have we got the energy?
Tuesday, December 01, 2009

I had a very enlightening meeting last night with Shadow Energy Minister Charles Hendry MP. We met to consider Britain’s energy needs and the vexed question of energy security in the next two decades.

There has been no real Energy policy... Read full story
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Christmas begins in Leckhampton
Saturday, November 28, 2009

This afternoon I queued to be let into Leckhampton's Primary School's Christmas Fayre amidst much excitement from pupils and LOTS of noise!

Read full story
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Laurence and I get to say thank you
Friday, November 27, 2009

I’ve been with Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson again this evening, meeting helpers and supporters at the newly-opened Brizen Centre for Young people in Up Hatherley.

As everyone is learning, the Boundary changes at the next General Elec... Read full story
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Buy Local in support of our artists
Friday, November 27, 2009

I was very flattered to be asked to be at the launch and private viewing of the 'By Local' Festive Evening at the Regent Arcade this evening. This ‘exhibition’, the brainchild of local artists Rosie Lomberg (who has just graduated with a First Class ... Read full story
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Meeting Mala Tribich
Friday, November 27, 2009

I met an amazing 79 year-old lady this afternoon, Mrs Mala Tribich, who is a survivor of the Holocaust. She gave her testimony at a meeting at the House of Commons organized by the Holocaust Educational Trust, which was established in 1988 to ensure... Read full story
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Pittville School Presentation Evening
Friday, November 27, 2009

It was great to be invited back, second year running, to Pittville School where I am a Governor to award certificates to last year’s GCSE students.

This was quite an evening and with a great turn out of former students, their parents and... Read full story
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Cheltenham comes to London
Friday, November 27, 2009

I hosted a private dinner on Monday evening for members of the Cheltenham Conservative Parliament Club at London’s Carlton Club which was hugely enjoyable and insightful.

Special guest at this informal Cabinet-style dinner was Nick Herbe... Read full story
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Mark pledges to 'do his bit' for British Armed Forces
Friday, November 27, 2009

Mark has pledged to do his bit for the British Armed Forces family.

Mark met with representatives from The Royal British Legion recently where he was pleased to be presented with a copy of the Legion’s manifesto for the next general elec... Read full story
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A View From The Summit
Friday, November 27, 2009

Last May when I asked shadow Tourism Minister Tobias Ellwood to see some of the visitor attractions in my home town of Cheltenham I was not anticipating it would create the strategic opportunity for the town it has.

But earlier this week... Read full story
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Return to Grammar: Mark Coote returns to school, where his political interests began
Friday, November 27, 2009

Former Grammarian and Cheltenham’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Conservative Party, Mark Coote, returned to Pate’s Grammar School on Friday for what was something of a political pilgrimage.

Mark, who is a Trustee of the Pate’s Foundat... Read full story